Hamilton County legislators encourage local students planning to pursue a career in education to apply for the state’s teaching scholarship as the application window just reopened.
House Speaker Todd Huston (R-Fishers) said the Next Generation Hoosier Educator Scholarship pays $7,500 per year for up to four years to students earning a teaching degree and who commit to teaching in Indiana for at least five years. Applications can be submitted online now at LearnMoreIndiana.org/nextteacher through Jan. 31.
“This scholarship opportunity is a win for our students pursuing a career in education and a win for our local schools who need more great teachers,” Huston said. “Our goal is to strengthen the state’s pipeline of talented educators who can lead our classrooms, and help students learn and grow.”
“Educators are a driving force behind student success,” said State Rep. Chuck Goodrich (R-Noblesville), a member of the House Education Committee. “This scholarship inspires the best and the brightest to enter the teaching profession and helps them save thousands of dollars.”
State Rep. Chris Jeter (R-Fishers) said scholarships are available to 200 high-achieving high school and college students each year who either graduate in the top 20 percent of their class, earn a score in the top 20th percentile on the SAT or ACT, or have a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale. To continue earning the scholarship, students must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid annually, earn a 3.0 cumulative GPA and complete at least 30 credit hours per year. Current college students who apply must be able to use the scholarship for at least two full academic years.
“Our community is home to many great schools and talented teachers who are dedicated to their students’ success,” Jeter said. “College is a huge financial commitment, and the Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship helps students to cover some of the costs of their education and focus on earning their degree.”
In 2021, more than 600 Hoosier students from 270 high schools in 86 counties applied for the scholarship. High school seniors accounted for 75 percent of the applicants, with current college students accounting for the remaining 25 percent.
“Teachers are important leaders in both our schools and community,” said State Rep. Donna Schaibley (R-Carmel). “They have a crucial role in influencing our young learners, and this competitive scholarship helps ensure we have the best educators in Hoosier classrooms.”
“It’s important for Indiana to encourage more hard-working and driven students to become teachers,” said State Rep. Jerry Torr (R-Carmel). “This scholarship is a great opportunity, and I strongly encourage interested students in Hamilton County to apply.”
Applicants will be notified of their scholarship status via email by March 24, 2023. Questions can be emailed to NextTeacher@che.in.gov.
“Having spent more than 40 years as a teacher, coach, principal and superintendent, I know how rewarding a career in education can be,” said State Rep. Tony Cook (R-Cicero), who co-authored legislation creating the scholarship program. “Keeping dedicated educators in classrooms is critical for our future.”